ASTRUD'S a Junior!!!!

WOW!!!! wasn't she just going into Kindergarten????? My prayer for her and all of the kids in school is complete joy in this school year in spite of the projects, homework and DRAMA!!! And my special prayer for kids everywhere is SAFETY. God bless you all and God bless the Teachers of the world......

THE BIG 4-0!!!

I thought about putting the "sad face" up , but then I got to thinking....Whew!!!!.... I am so glad we are this far...so up went the "smiley face"!!!
Franceska we are coming....soon!!!

Footprints....

I know these are the times that there is only one set of Footprints because I know God is carrying my family and I right now. Even though we know it is time we have been told that we should put my Momma in a nursing home. The pain that I feel is a pain that cannot be measured. You are never too old to need your Momma. Is it possible to feel like you are going to just break? So we are searching.....How can this be happening? My Mom is only 66 years old! My Mom and Daddy will not grow old together, she won't know Franceska, I have to leave her with strangers, my momma will not be at home ...my home anymore. I could go on and on. I am sorry that I am not "happy" tonight. I really need all of your prayers for my family, please pray for me to be brave and strong, I feel like a little girl right now . I'm sorry I am just so , so, sad. There is so much good in our lives but this is just so hard.

Astrud and Emily's Mission Homecoming

They are home!!! FIRST...Thank you God for taking care of them and bringing them home safely. These girls came home forever changed. They saw poverty and sadness that I have yet to see in my life.They went and did what HE asks us to do, they went and taught people about him, spread the word, and even taught children how to ask God into their hearts. I am in awe of both of these girls. They have such hearts for Jesus and his word. The group of peers that they were put together with from all over the country was certainly a blessing from God. It was as if they had all known each other forever and they also formed friendships that they will have for a lifetime. It was so hard to let her go, but how do you say no to a calling from God??? Listening to our daughter and Emily talk of their experiences is truly amazing. And I can safely say that our daughter Astrud will be a missionary for the rest of her life, so I better get use to it. Thank you to all of our family, friends, church family and all of my precious friends in Blogland for your thoughts and prayers, it was truly felt during their absence. Words are not adequate, thank you so much from the depths of my heart. God bless all of you.
OHHHHH....here they are
HAPPY , THANKFUL PARENTS with their Girls!!!
Our first glimpse of our babies!!!!
We were so excited to see them!!!
A Giant Hug from her Bubba!
A hug from her cousin Greg!
Hug from Big Brother Christopher!!! She is just spoiled rotten from the men in her life!!! I don't have anything to do with that!!!!
Cousins waiting patiently.....or not
Megan passing the time:)
Emily's mom Margaret with her Welcome Home sign!!
The flight was of course late, so the little ones were entertining each other being silly!!
Anyone who knows me knows that I dont go many places without my camera, so when we were all stopped at the light near the airport I just had to stick my camera out my window and this is what I got from Christopher and Amy!!! Cracks me up!!

OUR WEEKEND COAST TRIP 2009

And I found the STORK (or something like him) vacationing in Rockport , Texas....I told him to get back to work!!!!!


NEXT POST....ASTRUD AND EMILYS MISSION HOMECOMING PICTURES!!!!

GOD MADE ME IN CHINA

JUST WANTED ALL OF YOU TO KNOW THAT I HAVE SEVERAL BOOKS FROM THE PRINTER WITH THE DUPLICATED PARAGRAPH!!!!!! MY PUBLISHER SAYS THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT LIKE THAT KIND OF THING.....SO I AM SELLING THEM FOR $10.00. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED JUST LEAVE ME A COMMENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Off on a much needed long weekend...

Me and my man that I love soooo much are off for a much needed weekend together at the beach. Our life is so busy that sometimes we take each other for granted ,(I am way more guilty than he is), so we are really looking forward to some "alone" time to just reconnect. I love him so so much and I think he is just incredible!!! And on sunday we will meet up with Jacy and Alvin in Rockport, Texas for some fishing. We will both have our cell phones in hand in case Astrud calls , Gretchyn is going to Nonny and Poppy's so we are off.....see you all on monday. Love you all!!

(the puppy is my friend Jacy's mothers dog Maggie)

Astrud and Emily are off........Please keep them in your prayers...

Astrud and Emily right before they boarded the plane for their mission trip. These girls are amazing and they have true hearts for their creator. May God bless them and keep them safe while they are teaching people about his grace and love. And say a prayer for this momma.....she is learning to let go and let God.

Hugging her Daddy!
Big brother Christopher helping Astrud with the zipper on her backpack!

A little of this and that...

Rayn and Gretchyn my little furry daughter, Astrud and I bought her a new swimsuit...isnt it just too cute!!!

Michelle, Jade and Lily in the pool!

Comments by ZingerBug.com

39 months today!!

For something better look at the post below!!

Steven and Megan's Wedding #2

For those of you that have been following my blog for the last two years you might remember that two years ago in August our boys Christopher and Steven got married a week apart. Frank and I along with my sister Kerry put together a beautiful outside wedding in 6 days for Steven and Megan. Steven was on leave from his 2nd tour in Iraq. As parents of a soldier you have to realize the probability that your son might not come home and it was so important to me that Frank and I see him get married to the woman he loves. So we had a very beautiful and intimate wedding and two days later he left to go back to Iraq. Megan wanted to have a wedding with the dress and all that goes with it so her and her family has been planning this wedding for about the last year. It was beautiful. And we are so thankful that God brought him home and gave us this day. There are alot of pictures to look at because I am one proud Mom!!! I hope you enjoy them. (just click on the picture if you want to see it better)

Here is our family.....these kids own our hearts!!!! Megan is not in this picture because this was taken before the wedding, but as soon as I get the pic with her in it I will post it. Aren't they all just beautiful!!!! Franceska will soon be home and I am sure they will be fighting over who gets to hold her.....they dont know it but her Mommy will win!!!!
We tried so hard to get my mom to stay still for a picture but this was as good as we could get. She looked so beautiful
Love love love this picture!!!
"Vows"
More of our kids...sorry I never get tired of taking their picture!!!
Me and my Daddy...my Hero
Megan and Steven
Our gorgeous kids!
My Frank and I
Me and my Beautiful girl....Astrud

My Birthday pics!

Saturday it was decided to have a little impromptu Bday party for me, (i think they just wanted to swim...lol), so here are ALOT of pics from the day....sorry I just cant ever pick a few!!

Jade and Chas! Rayn, Bubba and Megan More of the same.....I love taking pics of these kids! Handsome Blaine! Josh, Lily and Brett! Rayn helping me blow out my candles! Thank goodness they did not put 42 candles on that cake....we would have had to call the Fire Department!! Astrud, Jena, Jade and Emily! Silly girls!! Karoake!! More..... ?????? LOL!!!! The kids playing on the trampoline! Our neice Rayn and Grandbutton Joshua!!! Again..... Friends!!! Bubba gettin Jade! Our Amy! Our Girl!!!